The Island School — page 221: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184 THE “Sell it at a fair profit, in course,” said Chorker. “ll diwide it into four lots, and you shall have one apiece for—all the wallables you have about you, and on one condition: that you.goes back to where you was and wait till you are took orf. I'll keep on feed- ing you for a week, anyways.” There was a moment’s silence, eventually broken by a groan. “My watch,” said Mr. Farrell, “is worth twenty pounds.” “But tothers’ ain’t worth five bob,’ - Chorker, “ an’I evens it up that way.” 7 Some haggling ensued, but the wretched, starving men had to come to his terms. They paid over every- thing they were possessed of, excepting their pocket- handkerchiefs, for a share in the food. While the transaction was being carried on, Chorker informed them that he received the supplies from ‘‘ parties” it would be dangerous for them to approach, but he had found favour in the eyes of the leader by some means Chorker failed to clearly specify. The trio may not have entirely believed’ him, but they were too broken-spirited to run any risk, and Lal heard them shuffle away. Chorker remained behind, chuckling to himself over his superior cunning, and in an outspoken soliloquy let out) the fact to Lal that he meant to hide the valuables he had acquired, and if asked for them at some future time, to swear that the mysterious “parties” had robbed him of them. “As for what them boys may say,’ he muttered, “IT don’t care a fig. Nap knows they are liars. I'll swear the parties came ashore in the ‘Orsini,’ and that I niver set eyes on the young beggars at all.” His heavy footstep approaching the rent in the sround warned Lal to get out of the way, and slip- ping down, he curled himself up on the bottom, under a convenient piece of overhanging rock, one of many there, and lay still. Chorker having waited until the trio of masters were well on their way back, ravenously eating as they walked, came creeping down to the bottom of the rent, and selecting a spot within twenty yards of Lal, scraped a hole in the sand and buried his treasure. He marked the spot by placing two stones together, and returned to the higher ground. Shortly after he was heard by the hiding boy to be moving away. Lal gave him ten minutes to get out of hearing, and then, emerging from his hiding-place, speedily un- earthed the treasure so unworthily acquired. There were three watches, the same number of pen™ knives, two pocket-books, and a handful of coins: some Spanish and some English. Lal Brodie stowed them away in his pockets, and ascending again to the higher grourid, saw Chorker seated at a distance with his back to him. The old returned ISLAND SCHOOL. fraud was gratifying a long-felt want by partaking of another meal. After it he would probably sleep, and if Lal was smart he could get to the castle and. back to the — Orsini” with help ere Chorker turned up again. He was sure of his route now, and sped away, occasionally looking back to see if Chorker had ob- served him. But that worthy did not change ‘his position, and Lal, undetected, passed out’ of the region of his sight. CHAPTER C. A WELCOME MESSENGER.—A WILD MAN OF THE WOODS. ® ¢ NERRINGLY Brodie | struck the castle path, meeting with no obstacle on the way. But ere he had got far up it he was suddenly challenged by a voice from the bushes on his left. “Who goes there ? Stand, or I fire!” He recognised the voice of Joe Ganthony, and answering his challenge with a cheery “‘Itis only Lal Brodie,” Joe in person showed himself. ‘So you’ve come back?” he said. ‘* Where’s Stiff ?” “Miles from here,” replied Lal. “Such a yarn I have to tell as you never heard.” ‘Have you found the ‘ Orsini’ ?” Yes.” ; “Thank goodness for that! Where is she ?” “Acground a long way from here, But I must not waste time talking to you. How are things above °” “ All right,” replied Joe; “no signs of those Spanish demons, but the stiller they are the more mischief they are hatching. Jim is drilling the boys to the work of defending the forts. Hurry up, and sing as you go, as there are some young and inexperienced sentries on ahead, who may take it into their heads to let fly at you.” | Lal carried out these instructions, and so securely passed Pesketh, Trimmer, and Dawson, who were on guard higher up. : They heard his voice, and came out as Joe Ganthony had done, to ask the news. Lal Brodie gave each a few words of comfort, and hastened on to the castle. It was a busy scene that was being enacted there, for in addition to the drilling by Jim, Morse was busy laying down a mine, which he intended, if necessary, to spring upon an advancing foe. Glad to be free of the castle, fora short time, any- (Gi 0) micbooks. @ @ )